My latest favorite summer treat!

I had these at my friends place on my visit home. LOVED them! I made them today for lunch. Her's were better... I think my tomato's were too thick... but still so delicious!

It's a sliced baggett (spelling?!) with motzerella cheese, tomato sliced with fresh cut basil and a little bit of olive oil drizzeled on top. It is so fresh, healthy an great texture variations. Very "summery" tasteing. I also love the fact that when back home I will be able to make these from everything we grow (we plan to get a jersey cow for milk) except the bread.

Sleeping Elle

This is what I came home to the other night. I went to the pottery studio late one evening and got home around 10pm. It was quiet when I came in the door and I expected to find Michael asleep in our bed and the kids in theirs. Michael wasn't in ours. He was asleep in Elle's bed next to Christian asleep in his bed... and Elle.... She fell asleep in the living room in this little chair (which I actually found in the trash shoot room and cleaned up and now it looks brand new!). Michael was so exhausted he fell asleep when putting Christian down for bed, which was probably about an hour and a half before Elle fell asleep in this chair...the adventures she must have had... =)

Soldering Relationships

Living here in the city, in a condo, doesn't warrent the same types of projects that were a steady stream back home. It is a total disadvantage to the kids to not have wood to haul, stack and gather. To not be able to help build things, to not have REAL chores to help with... I feel so sorry for kids rasied in apartments and condos.... anyway... we have tried to make the most of it, and here is a little project Michael brought home from work as "home work" and asked Elle for her help.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that is a 4 year old with a soldering gun... And look at how careful she uses it and is so safe, because her mom and dad teach her to do dangerous things SAFELY. =)

This project meant the world to Elle. (As does any project where she gets to do that is new and a little "outside the box".)  

Her and Michael worked at this for about an hour. It started with stripping the wires. I was in the shower and Elle came running in screaching that "dada taught me to strip a wire all by myself! And I did it!" She was so excited, she just couldn't wait for me to get out to tell me. They measured the wires, stripped them, wrapped them and soldered them, sealed them and taped them. Elle was so attentative the whole time- soaking up this valuable time with her daddy.

How boreing this would have been for Michael to do all by himself... and how fun it was to see through Elle's eyes as she learned about it all and gained confidence in doing something a little "scarey" that required great care.

Tantrums, Tears and Growth

Okay... So I am not sure if I am going to be able to articulate all of this the way I hope to, but I am going to give it a shot because if it can help any other parent or person in anyway, it'll be worth stumbling over to try and explain my latest revelation (which surely many have already had...).

(Thank you for the ADORABLE outfits Grammie!)

The last 2 weeks have been extremely difficult as a mom. Christian has been a complete wreck. We had our fair number of struggles with our stubborn little Elle, but we only briefly touched down on the tantrum phase- we rid her of that quickly and swiftly. She spoke like an adult from before she was even 1 year old. Christian however is a whole new ball game. He still only can say a hand full of words clearly. He can non-verbally communicate quite a bit, but it is still extremely frustrating for him a lot of the time when he has so much more to say or ask for that he can't get across accurately. This is what sets off screaming, flailing, kicking, back arching hysterics.... OFTEN.
All of this to say that since I have to be the one with him all day long, every day, this is extremely exhausting for me and I want to make every effort to help him and the rest of us from the insanity. To keep this post to the point, I just want to explain that I began trying everything to figure this out. We have made leaps and bounds in his attitude and self control in just a couple weeks of trying everything from no TV, no juice or other sugars, calm down exercises, etc...
Seeing him smile, watching him start to "lose it" and then be able to real in his emotions and get control of himself now is so over-joying. It makes me so happy for him that he doesn't have to feel so helpless in his frustrations now. I got to thinking about all of this and thought about how parents who go to work and leave their kids with someone else-whether daycare, school or grandma/grandpa- for part of the day get a "break" from being hung on, being at becon call every moment, hearing constant noise all day, let's get real- you don't ever even get to pee or shower by yourself. (I am not for a moment saying that being a working parent is easier, just different struggles. Please don't take this post the wrong way or be offended if you are a working parent. Please read it for what I am saying, not as an argument against anyone's choices of how to provide for their families.) My point is that if I were not so utterly exhausted and at my wits end, I may not put in the same efforts to "fix" my kids. Maybe I would be able to bare them being little brats if I only had to "deal with them" a few hours a day. Maybe I could bare them whining and fussing and begging for things I already told them they couldn't have. Maybe I could over look them back talking to me, or being rude to each other. Maybe I could be okay to prevent their bad attitudes a little longer by giving them toys and candies or taking them somewhere fun where I don't really have to interact with them. But I can't. I am faced with them ALL day long (and often all night long too)- so it is imperative to my own sanity that they not be allowed to ask me 3 times for something I already gave an answer to, that they listen and do what I asked them to the first time, that they not fuss and whine when I tell them no, that they enjoy playing with one another, that they enjoy helping me, and that the enjoy life in general!
On top of all that, I get to thinking about how much I learn as I try and teach them. It is truly humbling to always have a mirror in front of my face as I try and teach them about self control, being happy with what they have, no fussing and whining when things don't go the way you wanted/hoped... The lessons are so clear. The truth is so clear when I see the transformation of their little hearts and spirits when they choose to be happy doing what mama told them to do, or when they discover that they CAN stop fussing about something, or they CAN do that thing they thought was too hard and frustrating to do by themselves. The confidence that grows in their little character and the joy they experience better prepares them for the next thing that will be even tougher to handle with joy- but seeing them know they are equipped is worth every moment of the agony it took to be by their side helping them figure out what to do with their emotions and their frustrations. I think it would do A LOT of adults some real good to re-visit the "basics" of life... what better way than to teach it. It is hard to have the maturity of a 5 year old when you're trying to teach your 5 year old not to.
5-6 years ago I worked briefly at the same elementary school I went to as a child. This was known as the elementary school with the least behavior issues in the county. When I went there as a child there were a hand full of kids in the whole school (K-5) that were "problem kids". They were the constant trouble makers, the ones that were more than just talking in class, or being rude and disrespectful every once in a while- they were real troubled and obviously had rough home lives. When I worked there- just 10 or so years later- it was a complete different story. Each CLASS had a handful of kids like that. Even as young as 2nd grade, there were kids with an incredible ability to be defiant and seemingly proud of their capabilities to spread horrid things through the school- everything from sexual comments to 1st graders, to strangling kids who annoyed them, to cussing and making threatening remarks to the "un-cool" kids, to throwing fits when things didn't go their way, to lieing and cheating and more. It was shocking to say the least. And sad. Terribly sad. These kids were practicing what they were taught...or never taught... And how disabled they are for a future of joy...
I begin to wonder if a large part of what is happening with America right now, is due to both parents working and there being a lack of genuine fighting for the very best for children. I realize all situations are different, and I would never begin to think I could know what is best for anyone, let alone everyone. I am of course speaking in general terms and simply ask that you just THINK, think for a moment about the real heart of what I am saying. What is it costing for both parents to be working away from home? Are you missing your opportunity to really discover your kids and what they individually need to succeed in themselves? Are you missing the opportunity to grow and mature yourself into realizing what you really wish you were like. (I often see what is important to me by what I find so important to teach the kids.)
Ashamedly-I have spent many hours in tears, in agony and defeat over my kids not acting in a way that will enable them to experience true joy. It is my deepest desire for them to be happy and joyful loving people. THAT is a contribution to society. Joyful love. Having realized what all my tears and days of wanting to pull all my hair out really amount to... how deeply I care about the attitudes of my kids... I will not face them the same. I am so happy to be able to be with them and teach them how to take things head on and stronger than I ever did.  I am sure I will still shed tears and have moments of throwing my hands up in defeat, but hopefully fewer, and less and less dwelling each time... Because again... that is what I am trying to teach them right? Get over it! Life is hard, quit crying- figure out how to enjoy it just as it is.  THAT is freedom.

Shin Guards and Silly Kids

Presenting..... Elle's Homemade Shin Guards!

"Mama look! Take a picture of my shin guards!" I don't know about you, but I'm not sure I'd want to "hit the field" with these babies on my shins! =)

It was pretty much downhill craziness from here....

She off course had to bring her brother in to it...

I love these kids!

Elle's Quilt

As spring is in full swing now, I am missing home more than ever. I miss having a yard and garden to work in and animals to take care of. I wanted to do something "homey" so I started sewing Elle a new quilt. The flannel fabric was 40% off at JoAnn fabric.

She is pretty excited about it!

Now I just need to put the batting (also was 40% off) and back (an old flannel sheet) on. The whole thing (size for a double bed) cost $43. All 100% cotton flannel with 100% cotton batting.

Glowing Chalk

I found this glow in the dark chalk kit at Michael's (craft store). I really wish I knew how to take good pictures in the dark, because these photo's totally don't do the experiance justice. It was SO fun for Elle! Super easy, just mix a couple things together, pour into plastic mold and it hardens in about 30 minutes.

I will say that it didn't hold together very well, but maybe I put in too much water... but Elle didn't care, she enjoyed how it all fell appart and she could basically finger paint with it.

We had to play with it under Elle's "tent" (a whole other story I will have to post) on the porch for the effect since there are so many lights here that it never gets dark outside.

The stuff glows for about 4 hours (according to the box, we didn't stay up to 2am to find out...) It was pretty funny though how we all glowed. You really learn how much you touch when whatever you touch then glows. Great lesson on germs for kids! =)

Coffee and Flour

Elle wanted to bake something. She asked from some flour, so I gave her some. She wanted another ingrediant and there was some ground coffee that was here when we got here and hasn't been used, so I gave that to her to "bake her cake".

This is Christian having tasted some of her "delicious cake". Probably a little gritty....

The price for 45 minutes of the kids being entertained....

Kid's Baking

Christian is quite the helper now. He not only loves to vaccum, push the elevator buttons, and load the dishsoap and start the dishwasher, but now he likes to help us bake as well. I need to get this boy back to the farm so he can start scooping poop, splitting wood and hauling hay... he's gonna be a worker!

A Doctor or a Dinosaur

Michael and I watched this comedian video about a year ago. Our favorite part was one comedian talking about a conversation with his very young son. The son says, "Daddy, I want to be a doctor when I grow up..." At this point the comedian speaks of the pride welling up inside him... the feeling that he did something right and has such a remarkable son. And among the midst of the proud thoughts of the father the son completes his thought and says, "or a dinosaur...."  This is just so funny to me. As a parent, it is just so easy to be overwhelmed with pride for your children and the magnificant things they do and say and you forget the eye they see the world through. After laughing so hard at this comedian that line "a doctor....or a dinosaur" has become a phrase we drop often when one of our kids does something similarly.
One of those moments happened today. I was walking the kids around the park. Christian was sleeping and Elle and I were carrying on this highly sofisticated conversation. She was asking questions about why some people are black and some are white. I was explaining that people from different places have different colored skin... I even told her the story in the bible where God scatters the people and confuses their languages... In my head I am just thinking what an adult conversation this is and I'm impressed with how well Elle is following along. Elle begins asking quesitons, "Where are the black people from?" I say "Africa". "Where are the white people from?" I say, "Europe". And then Elle asks, "And where are the Cougars from?" (speaking of the large cat, not the football team). I am shaken back to the reality, that I am in fact having a conversation with a 4 year old, not an adult. =)

The many uses for Coffee filters

Now, I don't even drink coffee... I just never aquired the taste... YUK! (I know, stone me later...) But my grandpa sent this to me and I thought it was pretty cool. Considering how cheap coffee filters are, these are some great penny pinching ideas so I thought I would share it with all of you.)  I want to note that they are great on compost piles, so use them and then compost them! =)


1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave. Coffee filters make excellent covers.


2. Clean windows, mirrors, and chrome... Coffee filters are lint-free so they'll leave windows sparkling.

3. Protect China by separating your good dishes with a coffee filter between each dish.

4. Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.



5. Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.

6. Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free coffee filter.

7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.

8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale.

9. Hold tacos. Coffee filters make convenient wrappers for messy foods.

10 Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot. Line a plant pot with a coffee filter to prevent the soil from going through the drainage holes.

11. Prevent a Popsicle from dripping. Poke one or two holes as needed in a coffee filter.

12. Do you think we used expensive strips to wax eyebrows? Use strips of coffee filters..

13. Put a few in a plate and put your fried bacon, French fries, chicken fingers, etc on them.. It soaks out all the grease.

14. Keep in the bathroom. They make great "razor nick fixers."

15. As a sewing backing. Use a filter as an easy-to-tear backing for embroidering or appliqueing soft fabrics.

16. Put baking soda into a coffee filter and insert into shoes or a closet to absorb or prevent odors.

17. Use them to strain soup stock and to tie fresh herbs in to put in soups and stews.

18 Use a coffee filter to prevent spilling when you add fluids to your car.

19. Use them as a spoon rest while cooking and clean up small counter spills.

20. Can use to hold dry ingredients when baking or when cutting a piece of fruit or veggies.. Saves on having extra bowls to wash.

21. Use them to wrap Christmas ornaments for storage.

22. Use them to remove fingernail polish when out of cotton balls.

23. Use them to sprout seeds. Simply dampen the coffee filter, place seeds inside, fold it and place it into a zip-lock plastic bag until they sprout.

24. Use coffee filters as blotting paper for pressed flowers. Place the flowers between two coffee filters and put the coffee filters in phone book..

25. Use as a disposable "snack bowl" for popcorn, chips, etc.

And of course for use in your coffee maker! =)

Elle's tea set

Here are the latest items I made back from the Kiln. I made this little tea set for Elle. She was so excited!

They were both glazed the same but the teapot (I can't help singing "here is my handle, here is my spout" in my mind whenever I look at it) looks so different because it was done with red clay and the milk pitcher and cup were done with white clay.

How fun!

Pottery mugs

Here's the latest that I completed at the pottery class.

The glaze on this one turned out better than the shorter one. It is hard because the glaze is not the color it is going to look like after fired (not even close) and the end result varies widely on how thick you apply the glaze. I am really pleased with my large/wide handles though... I think I may be on to something there... =)

Knit Bag

Here's coming to you mom! (It'll finally get in the mail tomorrow). Super easy knit pattern I got at Canvas Works when I was home in Olympia.

I made mine with the idea for it  to be for produce at the grocery store or farmers market. The large button on this one kind of dresses it up a bit. I want to see if Ican  knit them with twine and then they will be cheap enough to make a bunch of them for fun farm bags when I get back home.

Pottery Class

 I just started taking a pottery class. I LOVE it! I was able to convince them to have a class on Sunday so that I could go while Michael stays with the kids. These are the first two things that I made and glazed. I have since started on a teapot, mugs, vase and dinner plate. I see a pottery wheel in the barn in my near future...

We watched a survival DVD the other day the we got at http://www.homesteadcommunitypost.com/. It showed them digging clay from the ground, forming it into pots/cantines and then fireing it by building a fire around and on top of the pieces. We can't wait to try that when we get back to our property in Washington.

Pants Repair

Elle is loving sewing! She is trying to mend all our clothes now! Here she is working on a hole in the knee of her pants.

Michael came home with a huge rip in his work jeans the other night and she was so quick to say that she could fix it! She totally feels her "skills" are needed and it is so cute to watch her take it so seriously. =)

I made myself a skirt the other day and now she wants to make herself one. She picked out fabric yesturday and is "designing" it right now...adorable...